Covid and Brexit cause the perfect storm for Plymouth s fishing industry
Fishermen say the post-Brexit trade deal has failed to deliver the increased catch they were hoping for, and processors say extra costs and paperwork are hitting exports to the EU which account for four-fifths of trade
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By Alan Hendry Published: 20:27, 12 February 2021
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Donna Fordyce, chief executive of Seafood Scotland, said many companies soon realised they would be ineligible for support. Picture: Alan Richardson
The initial response to the UK government s £23 million support scheme for the seafood sector has been one of disappointment , according to an industry leader in Scotland.
Exporters caught up in the post-Brexit bottleneck were told that from February 9 they could apply for financial aid from the UK-wide Seafood Disruption Support Scheme.
It will provide assistance to businesses that suffered a financial loss because of delays relating to the export of fresh or live fish and shellfish to the European Union in the month after the end of the transition period. The fund will be paid retrospectively to cover losses incurred from January 1-31, 2021.
Scottish seafood taskforce meets to drive progress
A new seafood taskforce, chaired by UK Government Minister for Scotland David Duguid, met for the first time today to solve ongoing problems with exports.
From:
12 February 2021
A new seafood taskforce met for the first time today (Friday 12 February), drawing together senior political figures, industry representatives and UK Government officials, all bidding to solve ongoing problems with exports.
Chaired by UK Government Minister for Scotland, David Duguid, the virtual meeting was attended by UK Environment Secretary George Eustice and Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism with the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Seafood Exports Taskforce included industry representatives drawn from the catching, processing and exporting sectors.